'Three Days Of The Condor (1975)' follows a CIA bookworm who goes on the run after his coworkers are killed and he finds himself unable to trust his superiors. It's at its best when it explores the grey morality of espionage and assassination, particularly in its wonderfully subversive finale that ends on a haunting note of uncertainty. Compressing the events of its source novels from six days to three ought to make for a more propulsive experience, but the picture still struggles slightly with pacing issues in its second act. This is principally due to its inclusion of a romance subplot that genuinely brings down the quality of the overall affair. This isn't just because it slows things somewhat, it's also because it's uncomfortably close to being 'rape as romance'. It's pretty cringe-worthy and, worse still, it doesn't ring true in the slightest. It's the least believable aspect of the picture by far and it's also its least successful, actively damaging the legitimacy and enjoyability of the affair. Thankfully, though, it doesn't totally sink the experience. Though it isn't as good as it perhaps could have been, its highlights mostly make up for its disappointments. The intricacies of its plot are somewhat elusive but they almost don't matter, as the flick purposefully keeps you as in the dark as its protagonist and works on a visceral level even when it threatens to lose you on an intellectual one. The cat-and-mouse game the hero is forced into is generally gripping and there are several unconventional set-pieces that give the movie a more authentic edge than many of its peers. It's a solid effort overall, despite its icky romance and somewhat elusive narrative.
Review of Three Days of the Condor
